Chapter 68 Meeting (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)

Fu Mingzhu, of course, understood the subtle nuances of the situation, and quickly showered Wen with compliments, making her beam with joy.

Hearing these praises, Fu Yunjia wasn't as proud as she had been in her previous life. Back then, her great-aunt had also praised her, but she was later deceived by Mu Xueqing and did many things that wronged her great-aunt. Now, thinking about it, she felt her face burning.

Thinking of this, she looked at Mu Xuexi and whispered, "Auntie, could you teach me embroidery too? I can never embroider flower patterns well."

Fu Yunjia said this to find a way to get closer to Mu Xuexi, but Mu Xuexi was a real child. She glanced at her and thought she was cute, so she smiled and gently replied, "Okay, let's embroider together from now on."

Upon seeing this, Madam Wen smiled and said, "It really is more lively when young girls are around. With Xi-jie here, our Yun-jia now has company."

Fu Yunjia blushed and lowered her head, while Mu Xuexi smiled gently.

Seeing that they were very friendly, Madam Wen pulled Fu Mingzhu aside and started talking about the courtyard and rooms that her family had prepared for them.

The atmosphere in the Wen family courtyard was harmonious, but the atmosphere in the Duke of Jingguo's room was somewhat tense.

After leaving the Wen family's courtyard, Fu Mingzi went directly to the study of the Duke of Jingguo. When she arrived, the Duke of Jingguo and Fu Mingsong were both there, seemingly discussing matters concerning Yun'an. Upon seeing Fu Mingzi enter, they quickly fell silent.

Fu Mingzi didn't ask any further questions and directly revealed that the emperor's favorite prince was the fourth prince, while the other princes were just targets.

The entire study fell silent.

The Duke of Jingguo looked very bad, almost ashen-faced. Fu Mingsong was a little better, but his expression was also very serious.

"Where did you hear that?" Duke Jing asked Fu Mingzi with a deep look.

Fu Mingzi wasn't afraid at all. She pursed her lips and said, "Don't worry about it. Anyway, it's absolutely true. I'm telling you now just to ask if you have any instructions."

Duke Jingguo laughed in anger: "What, even knowing that the Emperor favors the Fourth Prince, you're not going to give up on the Fifth Prince?"

“That’s right.” Fu Mingzi answered without hesitation.

The Duke of Jingguo was so angry he almost wanted to punch him, but he took a deep breath and slowly suppressed his anger.

"The Emperor's actions are unethical." The Duke of Jingguo's voice was hoarse and tinged with disdain: "For the sake of his beloved daughter, he incited his other sons to kill each other, and even allowed the aristocratic families to get involved in the struggle for the throne. He is truly foolish and selfish."

Fu Mingzi pursed her lips and remained silent, but in her heart she couldn't agree more.

After seeing that the Duke of Jingguo had finished speaking, Fu Mingsong also spoke up: "I had previously noticed that the Emperor did not seem to be sincere towards the Crown Prince and the other princes. I was wondering which one His Majesty favored, but I did not expect it to be the Fourth Prince."

Fu Mingsong even considered the Ninth Prince, but never the Fourth Prince, since he already knew from Fu Mingzi that the Fourth Prince was involved with the Zhao family.

"So, what do you plan to do?" Fu Mingsong looked at Fu Mingzi: "His Majesty does not favor the Fifth Prince, so I'm afraid His Majesty will not really allow the Fifth Prince to build his own network in the Ministry of Revenue, nor will he give him the opportunity to make merit, just like the Second Prince before him. He has been in the Ministry of War for so many years, but he has not only accomplished nothing but also caused a lot of trouble."

Fu Mingsong paused here, trying to calm himself down, but he also seemed quite angry with the Second Prince.

"Of course, I'm not saying the Fifth Prince is the same as the Second Prince, but given the Emperor's current attitude, I'm afraid the Fifth Prince's job won't be easy," Fu Mingsong finally concluded.

Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Of course I know that. Don't worry, elder brother. Now that Lu Ding, the Minister of Revenue, has lost his position, the two vice ministers below him are fighting openly and secretly for the position. When the Fifth Prince comes in now, they will only serve him respectfully. We still have some time."

"Okay, as long as you know what you're doing." Fu Mingsong didn't ask any more questions, his tone was very decisive, and he seemed to trust Fu Mingzi completely.

Fu Mingzi didn't say much, only looking at the Duke of Jingguo.

Duke Jingguo still looked somewhat angry, but he didn't say much, only turning his head away from Fu Mingzi.

Fu Mingzi smiled. He knew that the Duke of Jingguo's words meant he wouldn't interfere with his choice.

In fact, Fu Mingzi was also taking a risk before revealing his hand. If his family felt that it was too difficult to push the Fifth Prince to the throne, they might object. This would be a completely different attitude from their previous tacit agreement. If things went wrong, they might cut ties with him directly.

This is an ending that Fu Mingzi did not want to see, but now, fortunately, Duke Jingguo and Fu Mingsong are willing to trust him and give him this opportunity.

"However, if you do anything wrong, your family won't take responsibility for you." Duke Jingguo added somewhat reluctantly, looking at Fu Mingzi's smug smile.

Fu Mingzi smiled and nodded: "I know, don't worry."

Duke Jingguo swallowed his anger and didn't say anything more.

**

Fu Mingzi slept soundly that night. The family matter had been a knot in his heart, and now that he had finally spoken about it, he felt relieved.

The next morning, Fu Mingzi got up, had breakfast, and then strolled to the palace. When he arrived, Zhou Xiaoyan had not yet returned, but Xiao Yunzi was there. She greeted him as he entered the flower hall and poured him tea.

"Young Master Fu, our Prince said that the palace is almost finished and they will be moving out in a few days. He was thinking of going out of the palace to take a look today, but I didn't expect you to come." Xiao Yunzi chimed in with a teasing remark.

Fu Mingzi was stunned: "So fast?"

Xiao Yunzi nodded and counted on her fingers, saying, "The Prince's mansion was originally a good one. Now it's just that the flowers and trees have been changed, the garden has been renovated, the roof tiles have been repaired, and the walls have been painted. A large group of palace maids and eunuchs went to clean the house a few days ago. I think the new house will be empty for a few days before we can move in."

Fu Mingzi nodded upon hearing this: "That garden is indeed well preserved."

It's more than just nice; I wonder if the emperor was particularly fond of that garden. The buildings inside are meticulously preserved. This garden could easily serve as an imperial palace.

Of course, Fu Mingzi wouldn't say this. He was also thinking to himself that the emperor might want to give the garden to the fourth prince. It was just a pity that, in order to hide his talents, he had to reluctantly give it to Zhou Xiaoyan.

As they were talking, Zhou Xiaoyan finally returned. He looked a little tired, but when he entered and saw Fu Mingzi there, his expression softened considerably.

"Why are you here?" he asked gently.

Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "I just came to see you. I heard you're moving out soon?"

Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Xiao Yunzi, then nodded: "Indeed, I was planning to tell you when I left the palace to find you today..." He hesitated.

Fu Mingzi immediately understood his meaning and glanced at Xiao Yunzi, who was trembling with fear. She knew that she had spoken out of turn and ruined His Highness's plans.

"It's all my fault. I came to the palace without telling you today, and then I asked you when you moved." Fu Mingzi couldn't bear to see Xiao Yunzi worried, so she took the blame with a smile.

Zhou Xiaoyan, of course, wouldn't blame him. He waved his hand to dismiss the servants, then sighed and said to Fu Mingzi, "What's the big deal? The court is busy these days. Last night, Father Emperor summoned me to the Taiji Hall to ask if I wanted to take up a post. I dodged the question, but I'm afraid he won't give up."

Fu Mingzi raised an eyebrow. The emperor wanted to separate him from Zhou Xiaoyan and wanted to control Zhou Xiaoyan himself.

"I understand." Fu Mingzi smiled. "If I don't want to do this, would the emperor force me?"

If Fu Mingzi really agrees to take up an official post, then the emperor will probably transfer him away from Zhou Xiaoyan's side immediately. After all, his relationship with Zhou Xiaoyan is not as cold as Yun Jia dreamed. The emperor will never feel at ease having himself still by Zhou Xiaoyan's side.

A hint of regret appeared in Zhou Xiaoyan's eyes: "It's just a pity that you can't show your talents."

Fu Mingzi smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness has misunderstood. My lifelong wish is to assist Your Highness in ascending to the throne with my talents. Besides, with Your Highness here, how could my talents not be displayed? Would Your Highness forbid me from offering advice?"

"Of course not." Zhou Xiaoyan said firmly, "I believe you."

Fu Mingzi paused for a moment, then smiled, slowly walked forward, and raised her hand to stroke Zhou Xiaoyan's cheek: "That settles it then, Your Highness, what else is there to worry about?"

This time, Zhou Xiaoyan neither dodged nor felt embarrassed; he simply stared intently at Fu Mingzi.

Fu Mingzi was a little embarrassed by his attitude. She turned her head slightly to the side, then put her hands down and put them behind her back.

Seeing him like this, Zhou Xiaoyan gritted his teeth and hugged him tightly.

"I believe you, and you believe me too, okay?" Zhou Xiaoyan hugged Fu Mingzi tightly and whispered in his ear.

Fu Mingzi was startled by his action at first, then came to her senses and asked curiously, "What happened?"

Zhou Xiaoyan looked up at Fu Mingzi: "The Crown Prince has come to see me again." His eyes were full of worry: "He is forcing me to tell my father that I am willing to marry the Empress's niece as my princess."

"You agreed?" Fu Mingzi frowned.

"I didn't!" Zhou Xiaoyan hurriedly denied, his eyes filled with anxiety: "But judging from his appearance, he clearly won't give up, so I came to discuss this with you."

Fu Mingzi's emotions calmed down: "I see." He put his arm around Zhou Xiaoyan and led him to sit down on the stool.

"Don't be hasty," Fu Mingzi said calmly. "This matter is merely wishful thinking on the part of the Crown Prince. The Emperor will never agree to it. The Crown Prince should understand this as well. He is pressuring you like this only to test your stance. If the Crown Prince brings this up again when you go to court tomorrow, you can hesitate for a moment, and then pretend to grit your teeth and agree. As for the outcome..." Fu Mingzi sneered.

“I’m afraid the emperor will be the first to refuse.” Fu Mingzi stood up straight, his gaze cold.

Zhou Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief: "I understand that principle too, I'm just afraid, just afraid..."

"Are you just afraid I'll misunderstand?" Fu Mingzi chuckled. "Your Highness is so adorable. Remember this in the future; you can't hide things from me."

Although Zhou Xiaoyan was teased by Fu Mingzi, he was not as indignant as usual. Instead, he breathed a sigh of relief because he knew that Fu Mingzi was probably not concerned about the matter. So he was at ease.